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Evaluating Anthony Mix (With Fabini Update)

Jason Reid reports:
While commenting on the Redskins' receiving corps this offseason, Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, often mentions his excitement about the potential of wide receiver Anthony Mix. "I like him," Cerrato said. "We're going to give him a chance to show us what he can do."
Mix, a college teammate of quarterback Jason Campbell at Auburn who was signed from the New York Giants' practice squad on Nov. 20, performed well while playing on special teams in six games last season. Now, the Redskins are eager to learn more about Mix's receiving skills. At 6 feet 5 and 235 pounds, Mix could fill the Redskins' need for a big wide receiver, and he welcomes the opportunity to try.
"It makes me feel great that they've identified me as being someone who has the talent, so that they want to give me a chance," Mix said after workouts today at Redskins Park. "All anybody can ask for is an opportunity, that's what this is all about, and my window of opportunity is here. I'm going to work hard this offseason to take advantage of it."
Mix, 25, went undrafted in 2006 and signed with the Giants as a free agent. He is raw (Mix has only three receptions for 39 yards in nine NFL games), but with the team switching to a West Coast offense for next season, the Redskins believe Campbell could benefit from having a big target.
The Redskins pursued former free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett (they offered Hackett a minimum contract), who signed with the Carolina Panthers. Although the team is expected to draft at least one wide receiver, Mix has the inside track at joining starting wide receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El as a key member of the Redskins' new-look offense.
"They didn't sign any big names in free agency, and that makes me feel kind of good," Mix said. "That's showing confidence in me. That's showing that they see something in me.
"I think they're looking to see big things out of me, which is good for me. I'm not nervous at all about it. I'm excited about it. A lot of people wait for that big break; this might be my big break."
Campbell acknowledged he encouraged Redskins officials to consider signing Mix because "I thought he was someone who could help the team." Mix appreciates his friend's support and looks forward to reconnecting with Campbell on the field when minicamp begins May 2.
"I played with Jason for three years at Auburn, I know how he works, so it should" help him, Mix said. "I have to get used to his ball again because I haven't played with him in awhile. It's not like you just jump back out there and the timing is down like it used to be, you have to work at it, but we'll see what we can do once we get started again. I'm ready." Fabini Finalized
The re-signing of Jason Fabini, for one year, has been completed.

At the risk of setting off a flame attack, I don't think Jason Campbell is the quarterback to throw to him. I think we need to focus on Todd Collins, and trade Campbell for picks in next month's draft.

I will concede that Jason has potential. However, his slow release and lack of mobility is not what you want in a West Coast Offense.

I am very pleased that Mix is being given a shot. I see a lot of James Thrash in him.

I will concede that Jason has potential. However, his slow release and lack of mobility is not what you want in a West Coast Offense.

I am very pleased that Mix is being given a shot. I see a lot of James Thrash in him.

Posted by: Sports_Guru | March 25, 2008 02:46 PM

You consistently prove that you're a moron. Lack of mobility? Collins has a lack of mobility, not Campbell. You see a lot of James Thrash in Mix? You must only be talking about special teams play because Thrash is 6' 205lbs. Have you ever actually watched a football game or just heard about them?

Guru, did JC beat you up as a kid? You seem to have this unnatural hatred for him that you keep spewing. Give it up, we all know you don't like him. But your opinion is not going to get him traded. Let it go...

Again your comments, are crazy I would like to know how you became an expert on the WCO, Collins is a backup, JC is the starter and again he has played in a similiar offense in college and had very good stats. He did not just hand the ball off as I saw in one of your earlier comments. Trading JC and starting Collins would set this team back years. I seem to remember JC making some good runs last year not sure were you get lack of mobility. I believe Zorn knows QB's as he was one, I think he is a better judge of who should start for the Skins.

I am not tryibg to beat up on you, but you say things in your post's that do not make sense for the overall betterment of the team.

POSITIVES: King-sized pass catcher who can be used at a variety of positions. Displays excellent adjustment to the throw, eye/hand coordination and makes the reception away from his frame. Quickly gets into breaks, staying low on exit, and shields away opponents with his frame. Strong, defeats jams and physically beats down opponents to make the catch. Solid position blocker down the field.

Mix definetley have the size etc but he didn't do much if anything at LSU. Link above.. If he had that much potential how come he hasn't showed it? He had plenty of time at LSU and was no better than 5th in reciving any given year?? I am not going to get excited about this guy at all until he shows it. I still think we need to take a WR in either round 1 or 2. Caldwell is a big loss because now we HAVE to draft one semi-early.

I was referring to Mix's special team hustle in recovering that kickoff in Seattle. The opportunity was blown when Chris Cooley dropped that sure first down moments later, and the whole game went down hill from there.

As for Jason Campbell, you guys are emotionally attached to this misconceived notion of JC being the savior of the team. He's the wrong JC to be a savior. As for the future of the team bologne, the only future he is, is a future blown first round draft pick QB for the Redskins. Just like Heath Shuler and Patrick Ramsey.

If Campbell were any other QB on any other team, you would think he was a waste of space. Think with you brain, and not your heart. This is football, not American Idol.

After the season ended, some Giants fans on the ES board (not sure why they were there) were begging us to give Mix back so they must have seen something in him during his time there.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, unless Vinny is trying to pull one over on us, he DOES NOT appear to be going for a WR at #21. Vinny said while some of the WRs in the draft look good, he does not see any of them going in the first round.

Sports_Guru, you immediately undermine your position when you start speaking of superbowls.

This team isn't going to the superbowl for atleast 2 more years, so it really doesnt matter who is QB. By the time this team gets enough youth and depth to be competitive, we'll be looking to draft Campbells replacement.

Mix definetley have the size etc but he didn't do much if anything at LSU. Link above.. If he had that much potential how come he hasn't showed it? He had plenty of time at LSU and was no better than 5th in reciving any given year?? I am not going to get excited about this guy at all until he shows it. I still think we need to take a WR in either round 1 or 2. Caldwell is a big loss because now we HAVE to draft one semi-early.

BTW I like Dilfer, and think the Ravins were idiots when the got rid of him 7 years ago, and maybe when he retires he will make a good QB coach but I wouldn't think he is worth the roster spot, use the 5-7 round to find a kid for that.

I agree that Todd Collins is currently the better of the two quarterbacks on this roster.

This season will answer the question as to whether or not Jason will develop into the stud many of us suspect he is. If he doesn't, please, no more excuses for the young man. At some point, we might have to cut our losses.

I'm not too sold on the idea of Campbell being the future of this team. But what I do know is that Todd Collins isn't. Guru, I respect your opinion and all, but who is your starter in three years, hell, two years? Collins was the perfect QB toward the end of the season because he was familiar with Saunders' offense, and also at the time he didn't start a game since 97', which means no game tape. Opposing D's had no clue of what throws he could or couldn't make.

If you don't like Campbell, then fine. As I said before though, who is going to be your franchise QB in two years?

I saw something on the news yesterday about a guy, living in Europe somewhere who is the worlds tallest man. He's 8 feet, 5 inches tall. I say we use our first round pick on this guy, and use him EXCLUSIVELY to block extra point attempts.

I think we need to trade LeRon Landry for draft picks. Now is the time he has the most value. We could probably get a first, third and fifth round pick for him. In 15 or 20 years he will be too old to help the Redskins. It is also possible that he could have a bad injury next season and be put on IR, which would keep him from helping us. If we can trade him for 3 draft picks, surely one of those guys could help us.

I saw something on the news yesterday about a guy, living in Europe somewhere who is the worlds tallest man. He's 8 feet, 5 inches tall. I say we use our first round pick on this guy, and use him EXCLUSIVELY to block extra point attempts.

Posted by: gregmarino88 | March 25, 2008 04:22 PM

How about a running back? He could just walk it into the endzone from the 50.

For better or for worse, I think that if Campbell doesn't have a good year in '08, he'll be traded. Campbell isn't Zorn's guy, since he was chosen by the previous coach, and if Zorn decides after next year that he wants a different QB, the FO will accomodate him.

If Campbell were any other QB on any other team, you would think he was a waste of space. Think with you brain, and not your heart. This is football, not American Idol.

Posted by: Sports_Guru | March 25, 2008 03:32 PM

Kinda like the way I looked at Eli Manning for four years. Too bad Campbell had a higher passer rating last year, and a higher career passer rating overall. Forgive me for not sticking a fork in Campbell after one season as a starter.

Here's an interesting thought to all you QB evaluatin' Geniuses out there. Let's let Mr. Zorn decide who starts. He's played QB--quite well, as a matter of fact--he's evaluated QB's, and he's coached QBs.

Letting the Sport's_Guru's of the world determine whether or not Jason campbell is qualified is a little like George Bush determining that war is Romantic. Neither has a clue, both have a transparent agenda..

I asked this question a while back regarding Mix. The reason he is not great is his hands. But maybe its something to work with him on. If nothing else he would be a great for practices to act like Plaxico Burgess , there almost the exact same size and build. He might be a little bigger . But I think the reason the Redskins had a slow off season is because of a big splash on draft day. I do think the Redskins get Chad Johnson on draft day. They have made cap room for him and the only receiver they went after they offered a small contract to (Hackett).

And Guru as far as JC goes you couldn't be more wrong. He might have a slow release, but he has a cannon for a arm. His mobility is great, he is fast. He has just been with coaches that want him to stay in the pocket . making him a pocket passer.He can get out of the pocket and I would bet he will be next year with Zorn at the helm. After all he was a quarterback, a quarter coach . I think he might know what to do with him. You Guru??? Not so much.